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Kathmandu

Aug31

2013

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Even though we flew completely different routes, amazingly we all arrived within a few minutes of each other at the Kathmandu airport on Friday morning. Unfortunately some of the luggage for Abby’s extended stay here in Nepal didn’t make it, but they will be here on the 2nd.

After a quick rest, shower and some lunch we went to visit the new offices of of our Nepal partner which up until now had been in their home. Our partner had invited a young woman to join us that he wanted me to meet. Her name is Rashmi. A beautiful young women with amazing blue eyes who has been deaf since birth. Her husband signed and translated for us. She is a very accomplished artist naturally and is now studying at Kathmandu University. She draws all of the anti-trafficking posters that our partner distributes to police stations, bus and train stations, schools, etc. She wants to use her art to help with the anti-trafficking work. I wish she could meet our great friend, Ruth Jackson, who never stops thinking about the ways in which she can use her art for good.

Rashmi, along with her paintings, has started doing painting on canvas shoes. We all thought they were fantastic and think there is a potential for selling them….especially to benefit the Red Thread Movement. She wants to train the girls in the safe house to do the painting which will give them an income, but will also give them a way to express themselves. They often can’t articulate what they have gone through in either the spoken or written word, but can express their feelings in art.

After leaving the offices we visited our partner’s family at their home which is where the sewing center activities take place as well. We were able to meet some of the girls doing the sewing and see the new cutting machine that they have available to them. It was great to meet Rosni who is now completely in charge of all the shipments that we receive of bracelets and other goods. Before returning to the hotel they prepared the most wonderful Nepali meal for us all to share.

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Our mission is “weaving hope and justice” to improve the lives of women and children who are at risk from extreme poverty and trafficking. Purchasing their handmade artisan products at fair trade wages provides sustainable livelihood. Hope for the future for rescued girls in Nepal and women in Afghanistan is provided through vocational skills training, literacy and small business classes.